The Vision of Deuteronomy 15 with Regard to Poverty, Socialism, and Capitalism

Articles

Abstract

Economic growth in the twenty-first century offers the possibility to eliminate extreme poverty in the world. This article argues that such a wonderful achievement would not contradict the vision of Deuteronomy 15:11 because the verse should be understood as referring to relative poverty, which, the verse maintains will always remain in the world. On the other hand, the eradication of extreme poverty in the world conforms to the vision of Deuteronomy 15:4 that there could be no poor from an absolute perspective. Thus, the vision of Deuteronomy 15 with regard to poverty is a potential world where relative poverty exists but not absolute poverty. This vision is in harmony with the capitalist system, which promotes economic growth but does not aim for absolute equality.